Population dynamics of Planktons in river Narmada at Omkareshwar

Planktons are minute organisms and are essential links in food chain in aquatic system. The Narmada river is one among the important rivers in India with varied rich biodiversity. The river is an important source of drinking water and is considered as lifeline of Madhya Pradesh state. The present study was carried for the period of two years at Omkareshwar station, as the station is highly subjected to anthropogenic activities. The sampling was done twice in month during the morning hours. During the present study, 42 taxa belonged to phytoplankton were recorded. Out of this 24 species of family Chlorophyceae, 9 species of family Cynophyceae, One species of Euglenophyceae and 8 species of family Bacillariophyceae were recorded. The aim of the present study is to study the diversity of planktons in the river Narmada which are declining at an alarming rate.